How to Communicate Boundaries in Relationships

You have come to realize it’s time to set some boundaries in your life. Creating boundaries is essential to maintaining relationships with friends, family members, and coworkers that's built on trust and respect. Once you've decided what healthy boundaries are, the next step is communicating them to those people around you. 

Here are some tips for how to share your message on what you believe constitutes a healthy relationship (i.e., defined boundaries):

• Be clear. Explain exactly what you expect so that there’s no room for misinterpretation. For example, if you don’t want to work evenings, say, “I’m available between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.” rather than “I can’t work late,” since “late” can mean different things to different people.
• Establish consequences. Explain what will happen if your boundary is crossed. For instance, if your child regularly yells, say, “If you raise your voice while we’re having a conversation, I will leave the room until you calm down.” And most importantly, follow through on those consequences.
• Use the sandwich method. If you’re concerned about how the other person will react, try sandwiching your boundary between two positive statements. For example, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by how frequently your sister calls, you could say, “I love our chats, but I’ve been so busy with this new job that I’m not able to talk each night. Can we schedule a time each week to catch up?”

Do you struggle to set boundaries?

Setting and communicating boundaries can be a challenge. If you struggle with navigating the intricacies of relationships between family members, friends, coworkers, and other acquaintances, an experienced therapist can help. I can provide you with guidance on how to effectively create healthy boundaries with people in your life. Contact me today to schedule a therapy session to address this important topic.